Before becoming backpackers, we had a comfortable life. Well-paid corporate jobs. Fun friends and busy social lives. More than four pairs of underwear…
In the lead-up to our departure, we’d often muse (from our sofa, two bottles of wine later) how we would cope with backpacking. Sure, we’d have to forgo certain luxuries. Of course, we’d be sharing our personal space with a multitude of strangers. And nope, no way would we be drinking everyday. It all seemed perfectly logical, from the comfort of our own home.
I, in particular, felt ahead of the game since I’d already dabbled with traveller life back in 2004. A year of solo-travel around Australia at the young age of 18 was sure to be good preparation for the year ahead. Right?
Wrong. Travelling in your 30’s (and 40’s!) is a whole different kettle of fish.
My eighteen-year old backpacking self lived off bread and butter and cheap boxed wine. I shared rooms with more people than I could count, slept on the beach on more than one occasion to save money (sorry mum), and never ever considered eating in a restaurant. I can’t even remember doing my laundry all that often.
Twelve years on, and with a significant older – I mean other – in tow, backpacking life is very different. Credit where it’s due, we have thrown ourselves in to travelling good and proper. There’s been adventure and calamity, mess and hilarity. It’s been a blast. But, truth be told, we are not all that good at it…
We hear stories of backpacking couples travelling on a shoestring. Finding the best deals. Living continuously out of their comfort zone. We witness said couples sleeping in bus stations to save money, packing their own lunches for day-trips and gazing wistfully into coffee shops as others (us) sip on flat whites and graze on over-priced muffins. Try as we might, and we do try, we just cannot compete with these frugal, savvy backpackers.
Time and again, we feel the urge to ‘treat ourselves’. More often than not, we end up paying more, where others have bagged a bargain. Almost daily we say ‘but it’s only a few pesos/soles more to upgrade to a private room’. Our experience so far has taught us many things. Never judge an Australian by their cover. Always carry toilet paper. Don’t have ‘one more for the road’ the night before a long bus journey. Our biggest learning, however – one that we are not ashamed to admit – is that we are shit backpackers.
After six challenging, yet rewarding, months of travelling we feel more than qualified to offer advice on being a better backpacker. Take heed, learn from our mistakes. Enjoy the journey. And above all, treat yo’ self.
Trains, planes and automobiles
Bus travel is by far the cheapest way to get around South America. While shelling out for the luxurious Cama option with fully-reclining seats is worth every extra penny for a night bus, make sure you shop around for prices. Buying a ticket from the bus company right next door to your hostel may seem convenient, but on more than one occasion we have found ourselves paying more than necessary. Ask to see pictures of the Cama and Semi-Cama options as sometimes the cheaper options are just as comfortable. Don’t do as we did and get stuck paying almost double for the same journey as our friends, only to all end up on the same bus. #shitbackpackers
Wining and dining
Every once in a while it’s nice to treat yourself to a proper meal in a proper restaurant. Just make sure you do your research. All too often we ended up in the most expensive restaurants where a bottle of wine set us back almost triple the cost of a bed for the night. With eyes bigger than our bellies (and livers), we continue to fall off the backpacker wagon. Backpacking shame is a real thing, and splurging twice your daily budget on one meal that you end up too drunk to remember brings it on in torrents. #shitbackpackers
Wining and wining
Before we came travelling, we vowed that we would not be drinking every day. We can’t afford it, we said. It’s not that type of trip, we claimed. Hmmmm.
According to our budget thus far, more money has been spent on booze than on accommodation. *Hangs head in shame*
That’s not to say we’ve been boozing it up until the early hours every night. Far from it. But, when we do go out, we go out-out. Sometimes even out-out-out. Our biggest weakness however has been the quiet yet deadly nights of ‘just a quick one’. You know how it is. Six negronis later and we are back to broke, the grim-reaper of backpacking shame creeping over us the morning after. Drink responsibly, kids. #shitbackpackers
Just. Say. No.
South America is overwhelmingly beautiful. Breathtaking, inspiring and rich in culture from top to bottom. Sadly, beyond the beauty, extreme poverty still exists. From creative buskers on the metro, to local craftspeople selling their wares, many locals still struggle to make ends meet. Whether in a big, bustling city or on the outskirts of civilisation it’s not uncommon to be approached multiple times a day by strangers seeking a few extra bob. We absolutely encourage you to give what you can to help those in need, but with caution. Scammers and rip-off merchants are in abundance, and giving them money just encourages them. Note: a ‘free’ massage is not a thing. Have the right change, negotiate (fairly) and know what you are buying before you say ‘si’ to avoid being #shitbackpackers
Despite our frequent fails, we are having the time of our lives. Happily, we’ve met many a shit backpacker along the way who have made us feel better about ourselves (you know who you are). Travelling is more gruesome, gruelling and grotty than most instagrammers portray. We can’t always win at backpacker life, but trust us, failing is all part of the fun.
Are you a shit backpacker? We would love to hear your stories. Post your comments here or tag us on Instagram to share.
Now, back to my flat white…
Ha, I’m definitely in the wining and wining category (though for me, it’s more “beering and bourboning”). But like you, in moderation and socially, not an all-out rager 😉
Love your honest review and whilst we’re not backpacking, we’re travelling fulltime in our camper, we serious recognise that we’re not perfect at it either. We drink far too much, have put on far too much weight, do far too little exercise, work digitally too hard although would we go back – not a chance in nelly. We love our life for all that it isn’t Utopian – it is full of freedom and exploration – just what we signed up to. So we hear you all the way and glad that there’s someone else out who are not perfect travellers.
I haven’t so far done a long time backpacking trip, mostly for the reasons you mentioned in the post. The tempting wine or a fine dining meal is my weak point, the lure is too strong to ignore hahaha. Nevertheless some great tips to consider from your post while planning my next trip. Thanks for a honest experience on backpacking.
Hahaha, I really loved to read your post, because being a backpacker throughout all those years means to evolve. I also started being the pasta and canned food eating backpacker, but today with my hubby (still being backpackers) we sometimes enjoy wine tasing brakes. so, no harm starting to be a bit more of an upscale backpacket here. You just have to respect everyone else 🙂
Oh this made me laugh so hard! I have never backpacked but I am in my thirties now and I am sure if I had I would be doing many of the things you describe here!
Ha This is awesome! My only backpacking experience to date is 10 in China and it didn’t take us long to shell out for an overpriced private room for the last 2 days. I’m following in your 18 year old footsteps and heading off to Oz for a year so we’ll see how well I get on! haa! Great read
Good luck Chiera, we look forward to following your adventures!
I know what you mean about backpacking being different at an older age. Last year I went around Asia as a 28year old and I realised I’m done with the crazy party lifestyle. I don’t want to share a room with strangers anymore. I need to have at least a couple of nights to myself in a nice hotel. I don’t want to get so drunk I never leave the hostel. Nope. I’m getting too old for this sh*t 😉
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Loved reading your post, I could relate to it completely. Traveling in your 30’s is a whole lot different… I always end up treating myself with an expensive dinner after a hard day..
‘Treating ourselves’ is definitely our biggest downfall!
LOVE THIS! So many people these days seem to love acting like they know best- so refreshing to see some real people out there! It’s okay to be a real person & be a #shitbackpacker! Enjoying your time & making he most of it is all that actually matters!
Couldn’t agree more!
Haha, this is great! I am one of the frugal ones but equally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with treating yourself now and then! All jokes aside you’ve got some great tips here. 🙂
Great tips. A lot of traveller probably need to read this !
Oh my gosh I love this! The ‘shitpacker’ concept is so relatable to my SO and my adventures. Our daily food budget ended up at least twice as much as our accommodation while we traveled Asia! Though if you end up cutting costs by foregoing certain experiences, it isnt really worth it.
Yeah also the cheaper option for transport is often the most appropiate when it comes to budget vs comfort. I wanted to badly to pay an extra $20 for a bus trip in Nepal in lazy boy seated bus rather than being sat in barely padded seated bus, but thats my budget for a day and I just couldnt do it haha
I backpacked for six months in my 20’s. No way now unless it was the only option. Loved your points and yes, I drank more than I thought I would on my last 1-month journey. Just never closed any bars! #173
Great article. I loved the honesty. I also like how the slug says “not shit backpacker. ” Thanks for the laughs!
I love that you’re coining the phrase ‘Shit Backpacker’. Prob going to start using it! This was a great perspective on it
It seems to resonate with so many other shit backpackers we meet, so it must be a thing!
The tip to just say no is great!! Sometimes it’s hard to walk away even if you’re truly not interested. I ultimately give you two props—I don’t have the guts to even THINK about backpacking, even if I was two bottles of wine later haha.
We sometimes find ourselves wondering what we’ve signed up for, but mostly it’s just great fun. Six months down, another six to go!
Haha. So much of this resonates with us. We were exactly the same. My travelling in south east Asia 12 years ago had me as smug as you guys. In actual life was more like you describe. Brilliant post!
Hope you guys are well!
We’ve all been there, right?! We constantly find ourselves hanging out with fellow shit backpackers, spreading the shit backpacker love. It’s the way forward!
Great post shannon ( and adam). Very well written too. Informative and entertaining in equal measure.
Well thank you very much!